Math lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes
Compare fractions using one half as a benchmark
Fractions
CCSS 4.NF.A.2England: Y5 Fractions
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Compare fractions using one half as a benchmark.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Compare fractions with the same numerator or denominator; Equivalent fractions
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Fraction strips or a fraction wall, Paper strips to fold, Number lines, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Compare fractions with the same numerator or denominator; Equivalent fractions). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
Hook · 5 min
- Cut a pizza or a strip of paper unevenly and ask whether the pieces are really halves or quarters.
- Share the objective: Compare fractions using one half as a benchmark. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Is 4/10 less than or greater than 1/2?
- Step 1: Half of 10 is 5; 4 < 5.
- Step 2: less than 1/2
- Answer: less than 1/2
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Is 5/9 less than or greater than 1/2? (less than 1/2 / greater than 1/2) → greater than 1/2Prompt: What is half of 9?
- Use 1/2 to compare: 4/6 __ 4/9 (< / > / =) → >Prompt: Is each fraction more or less than one half?
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Use 1/2 to compare: 4/6 __ 5/11 (< / > / =) → >Prompt: Is each fraction more or less than one half?
- Is 3/5 less than or greater than 1/2? (less than 1/2 / greater than 1/2) → greater than 1/2Prompt: What is half of 5?
Watch out for
- Thinking a bigger denominator means a bigger fraction (1/8 > 1/4).
- Adding the denominators when adding fractions (1/2 + 1/3 = 2/5).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Compare fractions with the same numerator or denominator.
- Use concrete materials: fraction strips or a fraction wall.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder